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Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Welcoming the Rev. Buddy Stallings

Rector Chris Girata has the great pleasure and privilege to announce that Calvary welcomes a new assisting priest, the Rev. Buddy Stallings! Buddy is a gifted preacher and pastor, having served churches around the country, most recently as rector of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in New York City. On May 29, Buddy retired as rector of St. Bart’s and now will be living most of the year in Memphis with his partner, Molitor Ford.

A native of Mississippi, Buddy knows his way around the South. He graduated from Mississippi College and earned a masters degree from the University of Tennessee. In his first career, before entering the priesthood, Buddy was an accomplished healthcare executive in Florida and Mississippi. After many years in those roles, Buddy felt called to the priesthood.

Buddy entered the General Theological Seminary in New York and upon graduation was ordained in the Diocese of Mississippi. He began his career in the priesthood at St. James Episcopal Church in Jackson, Mississippi, where he served as assistant rector, associate rector, and interim rector.

After the events of September 11, 2001, Buddy felt called back to New York. He became rector of The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Staten Island and served there until becoming vicar of St. Bart’s in 2008. After serving as vicar under the Rev. Billy Tully for a few years, Buddy became rector of St. Bart’s until his retirement in May.

Buddy is excited to back in the South. Buddy’s son, Brian, lives with his wife and three children in Jackson, Mississippi, so he now will have the pleasure of seeing them more often. At Calvary, Buddy will join our other assisting clergy in worship, education, and pastoral ministries.

Comments

All I can say is how fortunate your church is to have Fr. Buddy . He was rector at The Church of the Ascension in Staten Island,New York. He truly is such a loving and warm person He truly lives the Gospel. He is such an inspirational man..he makes you think during and after each sermon.
Blessings to you all.. you are blessed to have such a great man.

While it is true that Buddy is an exceptionally gifted preacher, IMHO his greatest gift and talent is as a caring and compassionate pastor. When I encountered a significant crossroads in my life, Buddy's gentle counsel helped steer my to a pathway to recovery. In many ways, he saved my life. Calvary is incredibly blessed to have him.. Truly, a modern day face of Christ in a broken world!

I first heard of Buddy from my Aunt who managed the personal care home where his mother resided. My niece lives in NYC so my sister and she visited St. Bart's and had wonderful things to say about him. Years later I went with my sister back to NYC and had the privilege of hearing him by accident. The Rector was train delayed because of a snowstorm. The message was quite moving and challenging. He was wonderful. I'm so excited he will be in Memphis and hope he will visit St. Peter's in Oxford. I'm hoping to get to Calvary Memphis to see him. Welcome back to the South!

In true Stallings fashion I have to be honest here. Plainly said I am just plain jealous that we find him so far away. But I am certain that he is happy and will be enormously well received for he is, without question, an amazing man, a gift straight from God! Bravo to all –